THE former prime minister said Alex Salmond had deliberately set the referendum date for this year to coincide with the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

John Major and Alex Salmond share a joke - but who will have the last laugh?

JOHN Major yesterday accused Alex Salmond of timing the independence vote to maximise anti-English sentiment on the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

The former prime minister said the SNP had deliberately set the referendum date for this year to co-incide with celebrations marking Robert the Bruce’s victory against English invaders.

Major’s claim came as he visited Scotland to speak up for the Union in the independence debate.

Speaking in Edinburgh, the Tory grandee pointed out that prior to the Union, England and Scotland had met as enemies on the battlefield many times.

But he stressed the two nations had fought together as friends and allies many times since.

He added: “Which is why, if I may be brutally frank, I find it rather sad that the SNP chose the anniversary of Bannockburn for the vote, presumably to maximise the opportunity for any anti-English sentiment that may exist.

“For hundreds of years, we have fought wars together as brothers-in-arms under the Union flag.

“There are two other events also happening this year.

“Two weeks ago, there were the D-Day commemorations. And in July, we will commemorate the start of the First World War.

“How ironic it would be that come September, we mark the great sacrifice of so many brave men as separate nations.”

Major said September’s referendum is more important than the general election next year.

He was asked about a Daily Record poll last week which showed a majority of Scots would back independence if they were certain David Cameron would still be Prime Minister after the election.

Major said he did not believe that issue would play a major part in the decision of many Scots.

He added “The 2015 election is one of the more important elections we’ve had in the last 30 years or so.

“But it is less important than maintaining the United Kingdom as an entity.”

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